S.M. COURT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2469, 19 August 1922, Page 2

S.M. COURT.

The monthly sitting’ of the local S.M. Court- was held yesterday, before Mr J. L. Stout, S.M. WANDERING STOCK. The borough ranger proceeded again.st- M. E. Perroau on two charges of allowing stock to. wander contrary to the by-laws. Defendant pleaded not guilty. The Town Clerk asked that the eases be withdrawn as the Council ■were in a measure to blame. The fence on the property from which the cattle had strayed had been taken down by the borough workmen while laying the sewerage pipes and the stock had wandered out. The charges were withdrawn. R. Bryant was fined 5/- and 7/costs and 10/- and 7/- costs on two charges of allowing stock to wander; Mrs de Ridder was ordered to pay costs for allowing a cow to wander; Basil Walls was fined 10/and 7/- costs for allowing a cow to wander; J. Westwood was fined 5/- and 7/- cost's on a similar charge, first offence; TI. Osborne for allowing a horse to wander was fined 5/- and 7/- costs. F. Robinson was charged with failing to register a dog and pleaded not guilty. Defendant stated that the dog had been registered the day before he had received the summons. Owing to the dog registrar’s multifarious duties, lie had been unable to catch him at home when he called to register the animal. The Magistrate said defendant had ample time to register since last Court day.—Ordered to pay costs 7/-. IT. D. Metver (Mr Bergin) v. William Ritchie, claim £lO 10s, judgment for amount claimed with, costs £3 Bs. In the judgment summon cases Taylor Ltd v. Peter Robiu.-un, and R. Collins Ltd v. IV. L. Roberts, judgment debtors were examined by Mr Bergin and no orders were made. BREACH OF LICENSE ACT. R. Palmer, licensee of the Family Hotel, Fox ton, was charged by the police with three alleged breaches of the Licensing Act, viz., selling and exposing liquor and keepjng his premises open for the sale of liquor al such times when the said premises are required to he closed. John Ros's was charged with being on the aforesaid licensed 1 premises on the dale mentioned and pleaded guilty. Mr Bergin appeared for the licensee who pleaded not guilty and Constable Owen conducted the prosecution.

Cousin hie Owen in evidence stated I hai on Sunday last at 10 a.m. he visited the* Family Hotel. The lirst two slides of the bar facing the entrance were closed. On going down the passage towards the side entrance lie found the door of the room adjoining the bar open and the bar slide right up. Two men were at the counter. John Ross was in the act of finishing a drink and David Butler, a stranger to Foxion, had a glass with the dregs »*f in from of him. The lu*ensee was in the bar faying the men. Witness questioned Ross who gave no excuse for being there. Butler said he had stayed at the hotel the night previous hut had not breaklasted ihere. Butler said that Tom .Murphy had paid for his tea and bed at the hotel the night previous. .Murphy subsequently corroboratTh! this statement. Going inside the bar witness discovered a man named Connolly who was apart from the others. Connolly said lie came to the hotel, to get a cheque form. Witness examined the boarders' register which only contained Butler’s name. Connolly’s name was not in the register. Connolly had not been served with his summons as he was out of (own. In reply to Mr Bergin Constable Owen said the door was open in the tap room. Could remember tlie names in the book and Connolly’s name was not in the register. That Connolly was n boarder was not mentioned by the licensee or Connolly. Mr Bergin said 'Connolly was looked upon more in the light of a permanent boarder, spending his week ends at the hotel and running a monthly account. At this point it was decided to adjourn the rn.-e until next Court day in order to hear Connolly’s evidence.